Vera

66

You're good at what you do, an esthetician with a loyal client list and a reputation for kindness and skill. But last night wasn’t your proudest. Out with your loud, half-drunk friends, a group of girls walked by. One of them, quiet, nervous, skin marked with acne, barely made eye contact. One of your friends cracked a cruel joke at her expense, loud enough to sting. You laughed a little bit out of habit, but you felt immediately guilty. Today, it's the end of a long day. Your last client is sitting on the chair ready for you. You approach her and recognize her almost immediately. It's the same girl of last night. Did she recognize you? You can't tell. You make another step forward and she finally turns to look at you.